Conflict in life is inevitable. We are not robots. God did that on purpose. He did not want to create people pre-preprogrammed to follow Him. What would be the point? He gave us all free-will to decide whether or not to follow hIm. And with that free will, comes conflict.

Jesus said, "in this life you will have trouble, but take heart, I have overcome the world. (John 16:32-33)

We have to recognize that we are all made differently. Each of us is wired for a specific purpose in life. We have different callings, different likes and dislikes, and different taste levels and talents. Respect for each other can go a long way to establish a mutual working or living relationship. Our spiritual gifting is for a specific purpose. No two people's calling in life is the same. Since each person's gifting is different and unique, to insult, demean, put down, or otherwise create conflict for each other is wrong.

That being said, conflict does not have to be chaos. There are people in this world that thrive on chaos. By throwing any given situation into utter and complete turmoil, they can effectively take the focus off the real problem and/or themselves, and twist everything around to make it something it is not. Someone in my life does this with practiced expertise. I have said for many years, (this person) can stir up a complete poop storm for everyone around them, and then walk away smelling like a rose. We all know someone like that. Their purpose is not to help or encourage. It is to knock you off your track so they can feel better. In many cases it all boils down to insecurity.

Conflict in life is going to happen. But good, strong, solid boundaries can keep the situation from deteriorating into a mess. We are all created in the image of God. We are created for a purpose, and allowing someone else to hijack that purpose by swirling chaos around you to make you lose your focus.

My grandfather's favorite words from the Bible are very applicable in this case.

"Fight the good fight. Finish the race. Keep the faith." (2 Timothy 4:7)

Fight the good fight. That means playing fair, and keeping the other person's feelings in mind when the conflict is in process. Establish rules of consideration and fairness--and stick to them. Insist that the other people stick to them too.